It’s a real time reporting software program that can detect an outbreak of an infectious disease such as the flu very early.

The percentage of Americans over the age of 6 months who had gotten a flu shot or nasal mist by early November. Despite this guidance, fewer than half of Americans have received a jab this season. He encourages people age 65 and older to talk with their doctor about getting one of the vaccines created to give older people a better immune response, and therefore, better protection against flu. All five patients have fully recovered from the flu, though two required hospitalization.

Flu season is building momentum in ME, with both outpatient medical visits and hospitalizations on the rise.

Did you get the shot but still looking for more ways to keep yourself safe?

Infants and pregnant women, particularly those in the second and third trimesters, are most vulnerable to developing complications, according to the CDC.

And because the virus is so hard to predict, there’s no knowing if it’s going to get worse or better from here. Additional cohorts at risk for serious flu complications include those with common chronic conditions including asthma, depression and diabetes.

Many mothers-to-be, though, have not heeded this advice. Extremely rare severe allergic reactions can also occur, according to the CDC.

He said it won’t be until about February that health professionals know how this year’s version of the vaccine worked.

The body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for the best protection.

“Everybody’s risk is different”, Schwartz said.

Reporting hospitalization status for influenza cases is not required but the Health Department did receive confirmation of 22 flu-related hospitalizations through December 2. Just last week, a report in the Journal “Chest” found a bowl of chicken soup might have anti-inflammatory effects and can ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections from the cold and flu. “And, so predictions were made based on what was circulating past year in Australia”. So, we are earlier than we saw past year.

Welltok’s data also reveals that seniors with certain comorbidities are far more susceptible to hospitalization if they contract the flu virus.

A study published by the University of Pennsylvania determined that a mutation in the influenza A subtype H3N2 strain hampered the effectiveness of vaccinations during the 2016-17 flu season.